Statement of the G-77 and China during the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 25 July 2019 delivered by H.E. Ambassador Omar Amer Youssef, Permanent Representative of Egypt
Agenda Item 1: Tribute to the late Director General Yukiya Amano
Madam Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China expresses its profound sadness over the passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano.
2. Director General Amano led the International Atomic Energy Agency with great wisdom and exemplary professionalism. The mandate of the Agency in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology was a mission close to his heart. He articulated his vision of the Agency’s true role in materializing its motto as “Atoms for Peace and Development”. He endeavoured to ensure that the Agency was fully geared to help its Member States, particularly the developing countries, in harnessing nuclear technologies to meet multifarious development challenges in the fields of health, agriculture, industry and environmental protection.
3. The Group would like to express its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Director General Amano. It pays its most sincere tribute to Director General Amano whose contribution towards realizing the vision of the Agency will be long remembered.
Thanks you, Madam Chair.
Agenda item 2: Appointment of the Director General
Madam Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China is cognizant of the procedure for the appointment of the Director General, as contained in GOV/2935, and takes note of the oral proposal of the Chair on this agenda item.
2. At this point, the Group would like to highlight its view that the next leadership of the Agency should continue to lead the Agency in an inclusive, impartial, effective and professional manner, while building upon the legacy of the late Director General Amano and his predecessors.
Madam Chair,
3. The Group assures you of its full support as you lead the Board on this important matter.
